Voting at MCAD | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Voting at MCAD

MCAD will serve as a polling place for the General Election being held on November 5, 2024. Residents of Minneapolis Ward 10, Precinct 9, may cast their ballots in the College Center (use the south entrance near Stevens Ave and 26th Street, follow signs to the second floor using stairs or elevators) of the Main Building on Election Day. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

VOTING ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to vote in Minnesota if you meet the following requirements:

  • You will be at least 18 years old on Election Day
  • You are a citizen of the United States
  • You have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day
  • You have any felony conviction records discharged, expired, or completed
  • You are not under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights
  • You have not been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law

You can check if you are registered to vote using the Minnesota Secretary of State Voter Lookup. If you are not currently registered, you can register online (or update your voter registration).

On-Campus Students

MCAD students who live in student housing, and who meet the above requirements, are eligible to vote on campus. If you have already registered to vote, no additional documentation is required for you to cast your ballot. On-campus students registering to vote on Election Day must bring their student IDs to do so.

Off-Campus Students

Students who do not live on campus, and who meet the above requirements, should find their voting locations by using the Minnesota Secretary of State’s polling place finder. Students who attend MCAD but do not live within Minneapolis Ward 10, Precinct 9, are not allowed to vote in-person on campus on Election Day. They must vote at the polling place for the neighborhood in which they live if voting on Election Day.

EARLY VOTING

Don't want to wait in line on Election Day? Vote early! All voters in Minnesota can choose to vote before Election Day by absentee ballot or in person.

You can vote early, either by mail or in person, starting 46 days before elections. Early in-person voting is not available on MCAD’s campus. For more information about early voting, please visit the City of Minneapolis Elections website. Non-Minneapolis residents can learn more about early voting on the Secretary of State’s website.

REGISTERING ON ELECTION DAY

You can check if you are registered to vote using the Minnesota Secretary of State Voter Lookup. If you are not registered, you can register to vote on Election Day.

On-campus students registering to vote on Election Day at MCAD need to bring their student IDs with them. Off-campus students have the following options for same-day registration:

Option 1: Bring ID with current name and address

Accepted IDs:

  • A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card, or receipt for any of these
  • A Tribal ID card that contains your picture and signature

Option 2: Bring photo ID plus a document with current name and address

The ID can be expired, and the document can also be shown electronically on a device (smartphone, etc.)

Accepted photo IDs (bring one ID and one document):

  • Driver's license, state ID card or learner’s permit issued by any state
  • United States passport
  • United States Military ID card
  • Tribal ID card with the name, signature, and photo of the voter
  • Minnesota university, college or technical college ID card
  • Minnesota high school ID card

Accepted documents (bring one document and one ID).

  • Bill, account or start of service statement due or dated within 30 days of election for the following (can be shown on electronic device, i.e. your cell phone):
    • Phone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.)
    • TV (cable, satellite, etc.)
    • Internet services
    • Solid waste or sewer services
    • Electric, gas or water
    • Banking or credit card
    • Rent or mortgage payments
  • Residential lease or rental agreement (must be valid through Election Day)
  • Current student fee statement

Option 3: Registered voter who can confirm your name and address

A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight others. A voter who registers by being vouched for cannot vouch for others.

REGISTERED TO VOTE IN A DIFFERENT STATE?

MCAD students who are registered to vote in a different state can request an absentee ballot through vote.org.

PROHIBITION ON CAMPAIGNING IN THE POLLING PLACE

Because MCAD is a polling place, there are campaigning restrictions in effect on campus on Election Day. By law, in the polling place, you cannot display campaign t-shirts, buttons or literature which relate to specific candidates, official political parties, or ballot questions on the ballot that day. You will need to either cover up or remove these items while in the polling place. This also means no campaign materials or signs can be posted in or within 100 feet of the Main Building. The day before the election, staff will remove any election- and campaign-related materials posted in any public areas of the building or within 100 feet of the Main Building. We will post signs at the entrances to the building to remind people about the ban on campaign buttons or shirts. Election judges are also trained to politely ask people to remove campaign buttons or turn shirts inside out while voting.

State law also prohibits people from asking, soliciting, or attempting to persuade a voter about how to vote when inside a polling place. Students are also asked to be respectful of conversations and behavior that could be perceived as political in nature to ensure a neutral environment for voters. Any violation of these state laws is considered a gross misdemeanor offense and is punishable with a fine up to $3,000.

For more information on the voting process, visit mnvotes.org or contact the student services office. The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State also has a page dedicated to helping college students vote.

Questions? Contact MCAD’s voting coordinator:

Nick Raverty
nraverty@mcad.edu
612-874-3754
Office 210